Uncle Bob was born around 1929 in the bush of the Central Desert region of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. He is a”Tjilpi” (special teaching uncle) of the Yankunytjatjara Nation and one of the listed traditional keepers of the great monolith, Uluru. At about age 7, Bob was taken away from his mother and family under government policy which forcibly removed all half-caste (half-Aboriginal) children from their families.

He was one of thousands of Aboriginal children who were placed in institutions throughout Australia and came to be known as the “Stolen Generation.” Like so many, he grew up alone, away from his family, and never saw his mother again. He was taken to a receiving home for indigenous children in Alice Springs, NT, then later was moved to Croker Island Reservation in Arnhem Land where he, like the other children, was given a new identity and birth date.

No records were kept of the Aboriginal nation, family name, or identity of the Aboriginal children who were stolen. Young Bob was kept in government institutions until he was twenty when he, with new wife and baby, was banished for questioning white authorities. He moved to Darwin and later to Adelaide, South Australia, working, studying, and looking for his family and country of belonging. After many years of heart-wrenching searches, he found his roots and returned to his mother´s country where he lives today at Mutitjulu Community beside Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Throughout his life, Uncle Bob has worked as an educator and leader for equal rights of all living, land rights and responsibility to the environment, Indigenous cultural awareness and preservation, and community development. He established Croker Island Night and several organisations in Darwin including the RRT Pony Club, Boxing Club, Folk Club, the Aboriginal Development Foundation. He worked as a Counsellor through the Methodist Uniting Church and led a country music band that serviced regional Aboriginal communities. Later, Uncle Bob helped establish the Adelaide Community College for Aboriginal people, served as the Director of the Australian Northern Territory Legal Aid Service, performed on stage in “Child of the Night” and “Dream of Reconciliation” and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centres at Australian National University, University of Canberra, and University of Wollongong.

In the early 1970s, Uncle Bob earned widespread recognition for his song, “My Brown Skin Baby, They Take `Im Away,” which focused national and international attention on the issues of the Stolen Generation. This song exposed the government´s policy of stealing Aboriginal children and opened the door for indigenous story songwriters throughout Australia. It led to the filming of a documentary by the same name that won the Bronze Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and subsequently, the Australian government stopped taking children away from their families. His lifelong efforts to retain Aboriginal culture and restore equal rights for all living were recognised in 1999 when he was named Indigenous Person of the Year. In 2004, Uncle -name removed- was inducted into the NT Indigenous Music Hall of Fame, recognising the historical significance of his classic story songs, “My Brown Skin Baby, They Take `Im Away” and “Red Sun, Black Moon.” Uncle Bob has authored four books, including his autobiography, “Songman”, and three books for children: “Tracker Tjuginji”, “Stories From Country”, and “Nyuntu Ninti”. He contributed his personal story of being stolen to the anthology, “Stories of Belonging: Finding Where Your True Self Lives”, edited by Kelly Wendorf, published in 2009.

In 2006, Uncle Bob co-produced and narrated the award-winning documentary, “Kanyini”. “Kanyini” was voted “best documentary” at the London Australian Film Festival 2007, winner of the “Inside Film Independent Spirit Award”, and winner of the Discovery Channel Best Documentary Award in 2006. Uncle Bob continues to write and teach throughout the world, presenting teachings based on the Anangu (central desert Aboriginal nation) “Kanyini” principles of caring for the environment and each other with unconditional love and responsibility. His tireless dedication calls indigenous people to reclaim their Aboriginal identities and re-gain lives of purpose, so that the relevance of ancient wisdom to modern living is understood. Uncle -name removed- is a living bridge between cultures and between world nations, creating lines of understanding so that indigenous and non-indigenous people can live and learn together, heal the past through shared experience in the present, sharing a way of being that allows us, once again, to live in oneness and harmony with each other and all things.

Comments

In these fragmented times it is a truly remarkable fella who heals thru story and shares with such a discernible Spirit of Love. Tjilpi Bob is one such fella. May his spirit and message continue to shine.

I came as part of a school group in 2013 from NSW and loved Uncle Bob’s insight a perspective on life, he was a well loved man and I enjoyed talking to him so much that i was planning to visit him sometime next year, unfortunately his passing is fresh news to me at this time and I express my condolence with the utmost solemnity. I am so sorry for your lose.

May I first express my deepest condolences. Your husband has left a real legacy through his teaching, songs and his film Kanyini. You and your family must be very proud of him.

I’m currently producing the Christmas Breakfast show for ABC Radio National, and would dearly love to be able to include part of an interview that your husband did with Richard Fidler (for Conversations with Richard Fidler).

The program I’m producing takes the themes from the original Christmas story: the birth of a baby, parenthood, childhood, family, the sense of place which is part of people’s identity and their story and the story of a family seeking shelter and refuge, and being exiled for a while from their homeland. Your husband explores these ideas in quite the most beautiful and memorable way I’ve ever heard, and in a way, that others who haven’t had his experiences can relate to. He expresses a depth of spirituality that I found deeply moving and deeply generous. He is clearly a very special person. He exudes the ‘unconditional love with responsibility’ that he talks of and I would hope to do the same in treating his teachings and his memory with total respect.

I have read that you feel that we live in extraordinary times with the planet in a state of emergency on all sorts of levels and as a teacher whose life purpose was one of being in service to all living, that you think your husband would be happy for his teachings to be used by way of contributing to understanding between all peoples and promoting peace and harmony.

The program I am making is 3 hours long and I am hoping you will be happy for us to use 12 minutes or so from that previous interview with Richard Fidler. (I found it on the internet). I would also love to use Brown Skin Baby if you and the family were happy with that.

I’ve seen your husband said he wanted no restrictions on the use of his name, image, and his teachings after he passed, and that you are happy that those who knew him and know this, use their discretion. It may be that he had previously given his permission for the ABC to use his image online but if the family wishes it now we need not use his image and if you wanted we could perhaps refer to him as Kumanara Randall.

Could I ask you to let me know what you think. I shall keep my fingers crossed and my hopes up.

Hello,
I am completing a film review for Kanyini for my university course, and I see the above comments by Barbara Randall state that her husband’s name and image has no restrictions on it’s use. While this is only a recent allowance, I just want to be sure it was still allowable to use his name (no image required in this instance) in my film review please. It is purely for educational purposes and I assure you it has been used with respect, as I found the film to be beautifully put together and provided me with more awareness into our Australian history.
My formatting includes his first and last name “[name][surname]” and also by his “Uncle [name]”. If I should change these to another preferred format, please advise.
Many thanks.

Thank you for your question. This is a sensitive topic and I appreciate your inquiry.

The family has asked that my husband’s name and image not be publicly used. They will decide when they are ready to see images of him and hear and use his name. It is often restricted for a year. In this case it would be restricted until 12 May 2016.

The name Kumanara Randall is used instead. Kunmanara is the Pitjantjatjara word that means, “one whose name can not be mentioned,” referring to the name of someone who has recently passed. Cultural protocol also includes that, for a certain time, all people who have the same name as the person who has passed take the first name, Kunmanara, for the restricted time.

It’s good to know you found the film meaningful. My husband was a teacher and wanted it to be used for education. From what you describe, your film review for your university course is not a public document. I can only speak for myself in saying that it would be ok to use his name.

The protocol in Aboriginal culture varies according to the tribe. I have been told that some tribes honour their loved one by showing the photos. In the case of my husband, the Anangu family/his children will decide when they are ready to see images of their father. This is respected within the culture and they ask that others honour this, indigenous and non-indigenous. They do not want to unexpectedly see a photo of him, i.e. Facebook,etc.

However, my husband stated that he wanted no restrictions on the use of his name, image, and his teachings after he passed. Those who knew him and know this, use their discretion. Some people had been given his blessing to display paintings/portraits of him, for example, during scheduled art exhibitions.

We are living in extraordinary times with the planet in a state of emergency. My husband was a teacher, whose life purpose was one of being in service to all living. He always valued time and wanted no loss of time, even after he passed, to contribute to peace and harmony through wide access to his teaching material.

I recently had the priveledge of watching the film Kanyini as part of cultural competency training at City of Mandurah Council. Tjilpi Uncle reminds me so much of my late father GPB who also believed in universal love and the connection of all living things. The message in the film strikes a chord with me and my heart goes out to all First Australians. I am incredibly humbled by the continuing generosity of Aboriginal people to still share their knowledge and cultural traditions. If only we’d listen, then Australia and the human race as a whole would have a much better chance of surviving climate change etc. Love and respect Nick Benson, Yorkshire Binjareb citizen of Earth. xxxx

I didn’t know the Uncle personally, but “met” him and his wonderful spirit through the Global Oneness Website. His words touched me so much and will stay with me. They gave me new energy and conciousness. I am very grateful for that.

Deepest respect for you Uncle, your wisdom, songs and your work. Deep peace to you Uncle as you reunite with the ancestors, love and healing to your family and friends through this sad time, your legacy is as large as your beloved Uluru, and you will be truly missed. Thank you for your teachings dearest man.

Kunmanara was a strong and gentle man in the true sense of the words. His message from his home at Uluru shared compassion and understanding for the First Nation peoples of Australia. He inspired others all over the world with his quiet and considered wisdom. Rest in Peace.

May your spirit fly free.. i met Bob on Bruny Island at the amazing Good Spirit Festival. The thing I remember most about Bob was that his heart was so open, and something about him reminded me of my deceased father. A great loss for Australia. A great man. Peace to all the family at this sad time. Palya

My heart goes out to Uncle Bob’s family. Barbara and Uncle Bob you welcomed me into your home and taught me about your country and the teachings of Kanyini. The night you sang “Brown Skin Baby” to me and the students I had with it was an amazing experience, I can remember it like it was yesterday. You will always be in our hearts and your words will forever ring in my ears, thank you for being a friend.

Rest in Peace Uncle Bob. Sympathy and love to your family.
We use Kanyini as part of our Cultural Awareness course at UniSA and it never fails to move people.

Today I was walking down a street and a loud speaker was playing ‘Brown Skinned Baby’ and it made me cry. I sang that song on stage with Rhonda Collard at the World Indigenous Conference in 1993 and afterwards your daughter came up and introduced herself to us – and told us she was glad we had sung it and let people hear your story.
Bless you.

This is a sad day for the Australian people where we have lost an important and respected Elder, one who has fought many battles for people of the stolen generation, The ownly people who don’t understand the impact that it has on an individual, is the past and present governments, “they live in denile”, but the reality is, you would feel as though you were born with out a mother or family. So this respectable man has left us, possibly with heavy heart, knowing that old age prevented him from continuing the fight, because the war is not yet won! Palya

I am deeply humbled to have spent time at Uluru with the Kryon group, and watched your movie Kanyini … it moved me deeply even though I know the story and have witnessed it unfold in my own part of the country…. our language has not words for what the heart feels but the truth is gift we can all uphold. I intend to walk forward with “Kanyini” in my heart and share it with others, sending love, gratitude and respect to you and your family, to your land – this magnificent country, and to the Ancestors.

Dear Uncle Bob-
I am an English student of year 9 and I empathize with you and your hardships. We watched Kanyini 2 times in class breaking it down and I watched it at home and was brought to tears. I really appreciate how open you are towards the situation providing us with such a deep understanding. I am going to keep that story with me forever- I am truly inspired by you and your story- I feel as if my understanding and knowledge of the stolen generations was enlarged allowing me to connect with my inner self and think what if that was me – i put myself in your shoes which really impacted me .

Could you please email me as I would like to learn more about you and the stolen generation

Dear Bob,
I have just watched your film Kanyini, and I am truly humbled. There is a knowledge and connectedness that Indigenous Australians have with their connection to country and all that it is, it’s a concept that only recently western civilisations have only just started to learn. Australia and all who live here have a lot more to learn in order to live in true harmony with each other. I truly hope that we all see a healing within our lifetimes that extends beyond the word ‘sorry’. Please keep sharing your wisdom with us Mr Randall.

After meeting Uncle Bob last year at his home, I’ve watched Kanyini and shown the film to approximately 120 of my upper primary students. My choir has also performed his song Brown Skin Baby. I feel strongly that this story needs to be told and that he has so much to teach us.

During recent studies I was introduced to the movie “Kanjini” .Blessed and honoured to have greater understanding of Australian Aboriginals – Indigenous Peoples. It has impacted on me so greatly I share every possible opportunity in hope that other’s may be as moved and educated as I. The words “tread gently on the earth” will resonate with me forever.

Abundant gratitude for the land you so graciously share with us – forever may we be united <3

I just watched Kanyini for the 2nd time in a few years and again I shared it with many people who I hope will watch and understand a little bit more about an incredible culture that has been denied every human right. I feel humbled every time I watch this film. Thankyou.

I watch this under the instructions of our lecturer for first Australians at University.. I found an inner peace I cannot describe as Uncle Bob gave me Insight to why I feel disconnected and continually challenged for trying to understand my culture that so many people in my life have denied me.. Thank you

I wanted to write and let you know how moved I was after watching Kanyini. I have recently returned from my first visit to Australia, and it was a tour guide that recommended we watch this film.
I live in the UK and I feel shamed at how we came to your country all those years ago and did what we did under the guise of “Christianity”.
Unfortunately we have a long history of travelling to foreign lands and taking what was not ours. Us Westerners have a lot to answer for.